STORYLINE & RULES » ff the field in the fourth quarter with a leg inju

ARLINGTON, Texas -- After Khris Davis went deep twice to reach 40 homers, the young Oakland Athletics slugger and his manager were already talking about more.I told him 45 was more impressive than 40, manager Bob Melvin said.Davis homers and three RBI led the Athletics past Texas 5-2 on Sunday and kept the Rangers from moving closer to the AL West title.Davis is the first As player to hit 40 homers since Jason Giambi had 43 in 2000. Davis has 10 homers in 15 games against Texas, breaking Oaklands single-season franchise record for homers against the Rangers. Reggie Jackson had nine in 1974.Hes pretty good, Davis said with a smile. I feel comfortable against their guys. The numbers dont lie, and I like hitting off them.Davis lined a solo shot to left field in the fourth off Colby Lewis (6-3). In the eighth, he sliced a two-run shot down the right-field line off Keone Kela, and had a huge smile on his face rounding the bases for the 40th time this season -- and 100th time in his career.It was just because everybodys been knocking at me for it, so I was just like its out of the way, Davis said. My teammates were happy for me, so I enjoyed that one. ... Weve still got a couple of more weeks. I dont know why 45 is out of the question.The As have 13 games remaining, including three games next weekend against Texas to wrap up their home schedule.With two weeks left in the regular season, the magic number for the AL-leading Rangers (88-62) to clinch the division title remained at five games.While already guaranteed consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2007-09, the As (66-83) won two of three in Texas to wrap up a 6-1 road trip in which they scored 65 runs. The only loss on the trip was in the Friday night opener against Texas when the Rangers scored twice with two outs in the ninth.That was a great trip. Beating Kansas City four in a row, losing just a really, really tough game here and responding the next two games, Melvin said. I cant say enough about the desire and commitment these guys still have to finishing out the season strong.Left-hander Ross Detwiler (2-3) went 5 1/3 innings and limited the Rangers to two runs after going 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his previous six games. Ryan Dull pitched the ninth for his third save in five chances.Texas got its runs with four consecutive hits off Detwiler with one out in the third.Detwiler nearly gave up more runs with two outs in the fifth. Adrian Beltre hit a line drive toward the center field wall. Rookie center fielder Brett Eibner raced back and made a diving catch near the warning track.Eibners might be the play of the game because if that gets by now were in a completely different game, Melvin said. When the ball was hit, I didnt think he would catch it.HEALY HEATING UPIn addition to Davis eight-game hitting streak, 3B Ryon Healy has a nine-game streak after two hits Sunday. He hit .467 (14 or 30) on the trip.WHOS IN FIRST?The As havent played against Texas like a team that trails the Rangers by 21 1/2 games. The teams have split 16 games this season. We just put our head down and do our job, and expect to win no matter who were playing, Melvin said.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Sonny Gray (strained right forearm) is expected to throw another bullpen session Tuesday.UP NEXTAthletics: Oakland starts its final homestand of the season on Monday night against Houston. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- In a story Sept. 11 about North Carolinas game against Illinois, The Associated Press misspelled the last name of North Carolinas quarterback on some references. It is Mitch Trubisky, not Trupisky.A corrected version of the story is below:Trubisky leads North Carolina past Illinois, 48-23Tar Heels ride Trubiskys big night to 48-23 win at IllinoisBy DAVID MERCERAssociated PressCHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Nursing an eight-point lead with just over 12 minutes left Saturday, North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky heaved the ball deep toward Ryan Switzer but instead connected with the back of an Illinois defensive back.No problem, as it turned out. The ball bounced high and came down in the hands of Tar Heel tight end Jake Bargas for a first down that set up a touchdown that gave North Carolina a 38-23 lead.Sometimes, its just your night, and Saturday was Trubiskys.The junior quarterback threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores Saturday to lead the Tar Heels to a 48-23 win at Illinois.We took what the defense gave us, Trubisky said. We were just rolling; whoever was open was making plays. Our o-line did a good job all night. We just kept attacking the areas they were giving us on the field.Trubisky was coming off a workmanlike performance a week earlier against Georgia that wasnt enough to deliver a win.On Saturday, he was 19-24 passing and didnt throw an interception. And he carried the ball nine times for 42 yards.He played well tonight, he took care of the football, North Carolina coach Larry Fedora said. He ran the ball effectively and I thought he was into it, sharp, focused and tough and thats what I expect from him.Early on, Trubisky had to lead the Tar Heels (1-1) from behind.Illinois (1-1) went up 7-0 on the opening drive on a 65-yard KeShawn VAugh touchdown run while North Carolinas offense started slow.Trubisky jump-started the attack, rushing for two short touchdowns by the end of the first quarter and giving UNC a 17-14 lead it never gave up.The Tar Heels held Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt to 127 yards and two touchdowns on 17-35 passing.Illinois also struggled with penalties. They were flagged 13 times for 99 yards.First-year Illinois coach Lovie Smith called the game a learning experience for his team, but had no explanation for the penalties.If you have a penalty, how do you explain it? Dont do it, he said. Sometimes you have to see whatt they do to your team.dddddddddddd Winning teams dont do it.A year ago North Carolina easily handled Illinois at home, winning 48-14 and beginning a run that took the Tar Heels to the ACC title game and a bowl game.THE TAKEAWAYNORTH CAROLINA: Trubisky looked like a quarterback who can take North Carolina places, and while he was sacked twice his line otherwise protected him against an Illinois defensive line that punished Murray State in its opener. But before a late 62-yard touchdown when the game was all but decided, North Carolina struggled to get tailback Elijah Hood going. Aside from that TD he finished with 26 yards on 14 carries. UNC will need him when ACC play starts Sept. 24.ILLINOIS: A week after a 52-3 win over Murray State gave the beginning of Smiths tenure a feel-good start, the new Illinois coach has a much better idea of what he needs to fix. The Illini ran the ball well at times and the defense limited the Tar Heels run game. But 13 penalties cost Illinois 99 yards. And North Carolinas speed exposed Illinois secondary.LUNT IN CHECKLunt credited the North Carolina defense for shutting off his receivers for much of the night, calling the Tar Heel secondary the strength of their defense. Just seven of Lunts 17 completions went to Illinois wideouts.INJURY REPORTThe game was potentially costly for Illinois. Starting left guard Gabe Megginson had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter with a leg injury and a Tar Heel defender fell over the back of his legs. And backup safety Caleb Day had to be helped off the field late I the second quarter after injuring his left leg. He did not return. The Illini also played without starting punter Ryan Frain, who Smith said was injured in a biking accident. It was not clear when Frain will return.UP NEXTNORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels will finally see their home field on Saturday, playing their first game at Kenan Memorial Stadium this season, against James Madison. James Madison opened season with an 80-7 win over Morehead State.ILLINOIS: Illinois will play its third straight home game, hosting Western Michigan on Saturday. The Broncos will come to Champaign having already upset Northwestern.---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAPAssociated Press college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '